DESCRIPTION:
By Leroy Anderson. The composer believed that musical ideas came to his mind because he was constantly on the alert for them. Memories of sleigh ride sounds from his New England boyhood suggested the musical themes in the present work. As in his pieces, "The Typewriter" and "Sandpaper Ballet", Anderson used sounds from the real worlds (cracking whip and horse whinny) as part of the music. More important than the nostalgic sounds, however, are Anderson's melodies and scoring -- their excellence keeps "Sleigh Ride" as an annual part of many a holiday presentation.